Help
Questions neighbors ask
Porch pickup, permits, and how Hearth differs from DM checkout.
- What is Hearth?
- Hearth is a neighborhood map for home makers and cottage kitchens. You browse live batches near you, pay in the app, and pick up on the porch. It is built for San Diego County MEHKO and cottage food rules, not generic shipping marketplaces.
- How does porch pickup work?
- After checkout you get a pickup window and instructions from the maker. Meet at the curb or porch they list. The seller confirms handoff in the app. Your exact address stays private on the map until the order is active.
- What is MEHKO and why does it matter?
- MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation) is a California permit path for selling meals from a home kitchen. Hearth surfaces permit status on listings so neighbors know what kind of seller they are buying from. Hearth facilitates discovery and checkout; sellers remain responsible for compliance with their permit.
- Why does my ZIP say coming soon?
- Hearth launches neighborhood by neighborhood. Cold ZIPs can join a waitlist and nominate makers. When enough studios go live in your area, the map opens for browsing and checkout.
- What if a batch is canceled or something goes wrong?
- If a seller cancels a batch after you paid, refunds flow back to your original payment method. For order issues, open your order in the app or contact support from Settings. Paid-but-stuck orders are monitored on our ops side.
- How do allergens and food safety work?
- Sellers disclose what they can on their shelf and batch listings. Checkout reminds you that home kitchen food is not from a commercial facility. If you have allergies, message the maker before you order. Report safety concerns through in-app feedback.
- How do I sell on Hearth?
- Tap Become a seller, choose your permit type, connect Stripe, and complete the go-live checklist. You post batches when you are in pickup window, not a permanent catalog. Seller invite links help makers recruit neighbors in the same ZIP.
- Why use Hearth instead of Instagram or Venmo?
- DM checkout has no pickup window, no stock lock, and no refund path when plans change. Hearth puts makers on a map, locks batch capacity at checkout, and gives both sides a clear handoff flow.
Still stuck? Email hello@hearthmade.app or use Report a problem in Settings after you sign in.